Invincible (2006) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error Based on the story of Vince Papale, a 30-year-old bartender from South Philadelphia who overcame long odds to play for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles in 1976. Director: From $2.99 (SD) on Amazon Video ON DISC a list of 25 titles created 04 Aug 2011 a list of 45 titles created 31 Jul 2012 a list of 43 titles created 17 Feb 2013 a list of 25 titles created 20 Aug 2013 a list of 43 titles created 10 Aug 2014 Search for " Invincible " on Amazon.com Connect with IMDb Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin.

When a plane crash claims the lives of members of the Marshall University football team and some of its fans, the team's new coach and his surviving players try to keep the football program alive. Director: McG Rudy has always been told that he was too small to play college football. But he is determined to overcome the odds and fulfill his dream of playing for Notre Dame. Director: David Anspaugh Based on H.G. Bissinger's book, which profiled the economically depressed town of Odessa, Texas and their heroic high school football team, The Permian High Panthers. Director: Peter Berg The true story of a newly appointed African-American coach and his high school team on their first season as a racially integrated unit. Director: Boaz Yakin Controversy surrounds high school basketball coach Ken Carter after he benches his entire team for breaking their academic contract with him. Director: Thomas Carter In 1966, Texas Western coach Don Haskins led the first all-black starting line-up for a college basketball team to the NCAA national championship. Director: James Gartner Miracle tells the true story of Herb Brooks (Russell), the player-turned-coach who led the 1980 U.S.

Olympic hockey team to victory over the seemingly invincible Russian squad. Director: Gavin O'Connor The story of Jackie Robinson from his signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1945 to his historic 1947 rookie season when he broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Director: Brian Helgeland A drama based on the life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. Director: Gary Fleder Teenagers at a juvenile detention center, under the leadership of their counselor, gain self-esteem by playing football together. Director: Phil Joanou A coach with a checkered past and a local drunk train a small town high school basketball team to become a top contender for the championship. Director: David Anspaugh The story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family. Director: John Lee Hancock Edit Storyline In the sumer of 1976, 30-year old Vince Papale is having a tough run of luck.

He's been working as a substitute teacher for two days a week but has just found out that his job has been eliminated because of budget cuts. His wife gives up on him saying he'll never amount to anything and asks for a divorce. He works as a bartender and plays football with his friends. When the the new coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, Dick Vermeil, announces that he will hold open tryouts for the team, Vince reluctantly decides to give a try. Based on a true story. Written by garykmcd Dreams are not lived on the sidelines See more » Genres: Rated PG for sports action and some mild language | See all certifications » Parents Guide: 25 August 2006 (USA) See more » Also Known As: Who's Nuts Invincible See more » Filming Locations: $17,031,122 (USA) (25 August 2006) Gross: Did You Know? Trivia In the Giants game, when Mark Wahlberg is running down the sideline in special teams coverage, a Giants player hits him hard and knocks him down.

This Giants player was a football player at the nearby University of Delaware, and was not supposed to contact Wahlberg, let alone knock him down. As a result of this, the actor/player was told to leave the set, but the scene was kept. See more » Goofs One of the shots in the opening of the film shows the rusted hull of the retired ocean liner S.S. UNITED STATES, which is currently moored in Philadelphia. However, in 1976 the UNITED STATES was at Norfolk, VA; she did not come to Philadelphia until 1996. See more » Quotes Frank Papale : You know how I used to tell you about Van Buren scoring that touchdown back in '48? [pauses] Frank Papale : Yeah, I know. [waving hands] Frank Papale : I know. That touchdown got me through 30 years at that factory. Got me through all those times your mother being sick. When I told you not to get your hopes up... didn't mean that I wasn't.

Written and Performed by Ryan Franks , Scott Nickoley and Jamie Dunlap Courtesy of MasterSource Annoying they took so many liberties with the truth 6 October 2007 | by eva-whitley (United States) – See all my reviews Vince Papale was a SUBSTITUTE teacher at my high school (and his), which is not, and has never been, in South Philadelphia. South Philly has had many famous people come from it; my town has one: Vince Papale. Was it so hard to give us that? They gloss over his pre-Eagles life, but I guess it couldn't be an inspirational feel-good movie if they had stuck to the truth, i.e. he came from the suburbs, he had a career as a professional football player before he played for the Eagles, etc. But part of the appeal is that it's supposed to be "true to life." With this many liberties with the truth, I can't suspend my disbelief enough to get into this movie.

They managed to snip everything that was interesting to me and turn it into another clichéd "underdog struggles against odds to become accomplished person." Nice, but not particularly novel and using the truth might have made for a more complex and nuanced story. Well, they did the same thing with REMEMBER THE TITANS, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. But we're seen the movie before, so if you liked RUDY or movies like that, this is pretty much the same thing. OK if you want the same old, same old. 8 of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes Audience Reviews for Invincible ½ Invincible is visually eye-popping with its landscape off the field and action on the gridiron. Even though marred by a less-than-captivating-plot and somewhat cheesy-Disney-inspiration, the film is still able to be inspiring and heartfelt.

3.5/5 Eugene Bernabe Super Reviewer Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, Elizabeth Banks, Kevin Conway, Michael Rispoli, Kirk Acevedo, Dov Davidoff, Michael Kelly, Melissa Demyan, Steve Staiger, Vincent Riviezzo Director: Ericson Core Summary: Devoted Philadelphia Eagles fan Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg) has just lost his wife and his job as a substitute teacher. But by impressing his favorite NFL team's coach in open tryouts and winning a place on the field, he turns a terrible year into a winner. My Thoughts: "I really love football movies, being a football fan and all, but this movie was just OK for me. The acting was good. The story line was good. Its based on a true story of Vince Papale, who became a member of the Eagles football team as a 30 yr-old. He is the oldest rookie to make an NFL team. I just think there could have been more story. But it was a good decent football movie." ♥˩ƳИИ ƜѲѲƉƧ♥ Super Reviewer Invincible is yet another feel good inspiring true story about an underdog who succeeds at doing something big.

The story is about Philadelphia Eagles fan Vince Papale who has a chance to become a player of the Eagles after Eagles coach Dick Vermeil holds open try outs. Invincible as a film doesn't do anything new to the already familiar "inspiring" film formula, but it's still nonetheless a good film to watch. The acting is fairly good, and the story is still very engaging despite it's the type of story we've seen a hundred times before. The film does manage to make the viewer root for Vince Papale as realizes his dream and you feel good by the time the credits role. But like I said, it navigates the usual territory that all "inspiring' films take. The film is unfortunately predictable, and you know right off the bat that it will end on a high note. That's the only problem with these films, is that they to be the same, and all of them are predictable. But they always tend to be effective at entertaining you, and in the end, that's what counts. Though it's predictable, the story and acting are terrific, and this is a memorable feel good film that everyone, especially Football fans will enjoy. There are some solid performances by Mark Wahlberg and Greg Kinnear.

Invincible may not do anything new, but it manages to a worthwhile view nonetheless. A well made film that can inspire anyone. Alex roy We Are Marshall (2006) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error When a plane crash claims the lives of members of the Marshall University football team and some of its fans, the team's new coach and his surviving players try to keep the football program alive. Director: From $2.99 (SD) on Amazon Video ON DISC a list of 25 titles created 06 Mar 2012 a list of 21 titles created 18 May 2014 a list of 37 titles created 14 Nov 2015 a list of 40 titles created 8 months ago a list of 41 titles created 3 months ago Title: We Are Marshall (2006) 7.1/10 Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.

You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Based on the story of Vince Papale, a 30-year-old bartender from South Philadelphia who overcame long odds to play for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles in 1976. Director: Ericson Core Based on H.G. Bissinger's book, which profiled the economically depressed town of Odessa, Texas and their heroic high school football team, The Permian High Panthers. Director: Peter Berg Rudy has always been told that he was too small to play college football. But he is determined to overcome the odds and fulfill his dream of playing for Notre Dame. Director: David Anspaugh The true story of a newly appointed African-American coach and his high school team on their first season as a racially integrated unit. Director: Boaz Yakin In 1966, Texas Western coach Don Haskins led the first all-black starting line-up for a college basketball team to the NCAA national championship. Director: James Gartner Controversy surrounds high school basketball coach Ken Carter after he benches his entire team for breaking their academic contract with him.

Director: Thomas Carter A drama based on the life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy. Director: Gary Fleder The story of Jackie Robinson from his signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1945 to his historic 1947 rookie season when he broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Director: Brian Helgeland Miracle tells the true story of Herb Brooks (Russell), the player-turned-coach who led the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team to victory over the seemingly invincible Russian squad. Director: Gavin O'Connor Teenagers at a juvenile detention center, under the leadership of their counselor, gain self-esteem by playing football together. Director: Phil Joanou Edit Storyline In November, 1970, virtually the entire football team and coaches of Marshall University (Huntington, W.V.) die in a plane crash. That spring, led by Nate Ruffin, a player who was ill and missed the fatal flight, students rally to convince the board of governors to play the 1971 season. The college president, Don Dedman, must find a coach, who then must find players.

They petition the NCAA to allow freshmen to play, and coach Jack Lengyel motivates and leads young players at the same time that he reexamines the Lombardi creed that winning is the only thing. The father and the fiancée of a player who died find strength to move on. Can Marshall win even one game in 1971? Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com> See All (85) » Taglines: He took a position nobody else wanted, for a team nobody else believed in. Together, they pulled off a miracle nobody else could stop talking about. See more » Genres: Rated PG for emotional thematic material, a crash scene, and mild language | See all certifications » Parents Guide: 22 December 2006 (USA) See more » Also Known As: Untitled Marshall University Football Project See more » Filming Locations: $8,582,508 (USA) (22 December 2006) Gross: Did You Know? Trivia During training camp, coach Lengyl tells one player to "Head slap the shit out of him" if the opposing player goes for his knees.

The NCAA and NFL banned the head slap in the mid 1970's because of the head injuries it caused. See more » Goofs One scene includes a train in the background. One freight car has a Conrail logo, founded in 1976. Another freight car has a CSX logo, founded in 1980. The lead locomotive is a modern 'comfort cab' (also called Canadian Cab or Safety Cab) with a current Union Pacific paint scheme. Union Pacific had no trackage east of Kansas City in 1971, and run-through locomotives from other railroads were not common in the early 1970s. The locomotive also has ditch lights, the two lights near the bottom of the locos front. Ditch lights were not used on U.S. railroads until the 90's. See more » Quotes Red Dawson : We got a huge problem on the O line, Coach. Jack Lengyel : Mm-hmm. I don't think it's because the defensive line is... so spectacular. There are no opening credits, not even a title. See more » Connections Great inspiring movie..

We Are Marshall 22 December 2006 | by JLeighSD (United States) – See all my reviews I went to watch the movie here in New York State. I absolutely loved the movie as did my entire family. I cried a lot but also laughed here and there. The movie was well done with only a few little things I noticed that were changed, but overall it was very true to the story I grew up with and the facts I know. Matthew McConaughey and Matthew Fox did a wonderful job in their parts. I was quite impressed with every actor in the movie actually, they all did a fantastic job. McG did a great job in bringing the story to the screen. You were there in that time and during the tragedy and felt what Huntington went through. As I left the movie, I thought about the ones who died in the plane crash and cried again. For those of you who haven't seen the movie or know the story this isn't just a story about loosing a football team. The crash also claimed members of the football staff and prominent people of the town of Huntington. The other players in other sports lived in the dorms with the football players who perished.

They felt the impact when returning to school and all those faces now gone from their halls. The staff was down to almost nothing. The citizens that died included doctors, lawyers, a car dealership owner, dentist,a council member for Huntington and radio announcers for the herd. So, you can see this impacted the town in a way most won't or don't understand. If you watch the movie you can see how it effects everyone. I would like to now take a moment to remember those who passed .................................................................. We will never forget you. In the end this movie is about moving on, dealing with your grief or loss and how to live again. How as to rise above the ashes and move forward as it is said in the movie. I think people of 20 years of age and older will love this movie. I ran into several people of these age ranges that asked me questions and told of how they were going to tell their friends to go see the movie as well. I hope this movie touches and shows everyone how to rise from the ashes and move forward. In today's world of tragedies this is a movie that will touch you if you have dealt with a tragedy yourself.

So, I think several people will be able to relate to this movie and find it inspiring. Being a Huntington native I will always bleed green. GO HERD!!!! We Are ......................................... Marshall. 56 of 69 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes Revisiting Mark Wahlberg's 'Invincible' ten years on Email Disney’s Invincible, in the way that many sports movies are, is based on a true story. This 2006 film concerns Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg), a regular Joe bartender in 1970s Philadelphia; a city where jobs are scarce, and signs of hope scarcer. Vince and his pals try to make the best of it by drinking the nights away and playing football in a nearby carpark, but even their beloved Philadelphia Eagles are crashing and burning. So bad are the Eagles, in fact, that they bring a new manager – Greg Kinnear’s Dick Vermeil – who promptly holds open trials. Convinced to go along by his friend Tommy (Kirk Acevado), Vince makes the cut, and the hopes of not just the team, but perhaps a whole city come to rest on his shoulders.

Invincible is a film absolutely devoid of surprises – it is the archetypal sports movie. You’ll know every beat before it’s played. But sometimes it doesn’t matter if a film isn’t breaking the mould, as long as what comes out of it is fully formed and well made. And Invincible is; it’s a good story, told capably. And don’t worry if you don’t know anything about American football – the film is less concerned with the fortunes of the Eagles, as it is the struggling people of Philadelphia. Papale becomes a symbol; if he can rise from the doldrums to the NFL, then maybe any of them can achieve. If the Eagles can return to form, then perhaps the city can experience a similar resurgence. Mark Wahlberg makes for an affable enough lead, and his easy chemistry with Elizabeth Banks’ New York Giants-supporting fellow bartender makes for a nice romantic subplot. But it’s perhaps the barflies that either support or resent Vince’s success that are the most interesting, standing as they do as the city’s problems in microcosm. Kirk Acevado in particular is excellent.

Director Ericson Core shoots most of the film in a sepia-tinged hue, which not only implies the period setting, but also helps convey the general sense of malaise that sits over the city and its inhabitants. In a clever move, once Vince steps out onto the gridiron for his first professional game, the sepia filter drops, and the stark colours of reality reinforce how real things have just gotten for him; he’s in the big time, now. The aesthetic change makes the football scenes stand out and gives them far greater impact. The pacing, the subplots, the score, the heroic final play in the must-win game… it’s all present and correct. Invincible is like a comfort blanket: you know exactly what you’re getting and you could bet on the movie’s outcome right from the start. You can find more interesting sports bets on bonuscode2016.co.uk ! But if you like sports films, and want to let the particular rhythms of the genre carry you along for an hour and a half, you could do a lot worse than this gently charming endeavour.

Invincible Vince Papale True Story - Invincible Mark Wahlberg Movie Janet Cantwell (Vince Papale's Wife) "That summer I really did get involved as a wide receiver in nutcracker drills. I did sprint from one drill to the next. I knew the only way I was going to survive was if I made somebody notice me every day. Every time I got an opportunity, I performed. I did something." - Vince Papale Questioning the Story: Tweet Did Vince Papale really only play one year of high school football? Yes. In his senior year of high school, Vince Papale was a letter winner for football, basketball, and track. He received a full track scholarship to St. Josephs College. At St. Josephs, Papale was the track team captain his senior year, and he also won the most outstanding athlete award. -premierespeakers.com Why didn't Vince Papale play football in college? At age 18 when he graduated from high school, Vince Papale was only 5-foot-7 and 160 pounds. Colleges were not coming after him with football scholarships. Instead, he accepted a full track scholarship to St. Josephs.

By the time he was ready to graduate from college, Papale had grown tremendously to 6-foot-2, 185 pounds. He never tried out for the football team in college because St. Josephs did not have a team. -Tribune Review Did Vince come from an athletic family? Yes. Vince's parents were first-generation immigrants from England and Italy. His father and grandfather were pig farmers. His mother, Almira, had a stint as a professional baseball player in the 1930s. She became ill and was sick for much of Vince's childhood. "Until she was too sick to do anything much, I felt fabulous when I could win a race with her. She was an amazing athlete," Vince recalls. "I was the product of probably a pretty good gene pool." -sjmagazine.net Did Papale really play no organized football after high school, before earning a spot on the Philadelphia Eagles at the age of 30? Although the movie Invincible truthfully emphasizes that Vince Papale played no football on the college level, the movie fails to mention that Papale did play in the short lived World Football League (WFL) for two years starting in 1974.

Making a little bit of money in the league as a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Bell, Papale eventually found himself in debt when the league folded in 1975. "You do some stupid things because the first time in your life you have some money," Papale says. "Then all of a sudden there you are: You don't have those bucks that are coming in all the time." -premierespeakers.com Did Vince really tend bar to make ends meet? This is true, although it happened after his two year career with the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League. Before joining the Bell, Papale had been a beloved middle school business education teacher for the Interboro School District for six years from 1968 to 1974. Papale left teaching in the spring of 1974 to try out for the Bell. -premierespeakers.com Is the real Vince Papale the same height and weight as the actor who played him in the movie? No. The actor who portrayed Papale in the film, Mark Wahlberg, is actually much smaller.

Wahlberg is only 5-foot-8ï¿½ and 170 pounds, while the real Papale is 6-foot-2, 185 pounds. Despite their physical differences, Papale says of his big screen counterpart, "He plays me better than I do." And Papale should know, he was involved with the film from script to wardrobe to every last detail. -sjmagazine.net Did Vince Papale's first wife really leave him like in the film? Yes. This is mostly true, and he did in fact use the nasty note she left him ("You'll never go anywhere, never make a name for yourself and never make any money") as motivation. But it happened in 1971, five years before the events of the film. -Papale's Memoir Did Papale really just happen to go to the 1976 open tryout on a whim? No. The Philadelphia Eagles contacted Papale and invited him to the open tryout, along with a few other former Philadelphia Bell players. He did train strenuously.

It is also true that the tryout attracted an odd assortment of characters, as then Eagles coach Dick Vermeil remembered in a recent interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer. "All kinds of people turned out (800 total). We had a doctor, guys with big bellies, kids right out of high school." As shown in the film, on the day of the tryout, Dick Vermeil did take note of Papale, especially Papale's ability to run a 40 yard dash in an impressive 4.5 seconds. Was Papale really as reluctant to go to open tryouts as his character is in the film? No. In the movie his buddies persistently beg him to go to the open tryout. Papale admits this was somewhat different in real life, "I always wanted to do it. My friends did goad me but I wanted to keep it quiet, I didn't want to be perceived as a buffoon." -NBC10.com Did Papale really play fierce games of "rough touch" football in Philadelphia's bar leagues? Yes. Papale played rough touch football in the bar leagues for years, despite breaking his nose and some ribs, and getting a few teeth jarred loose.

In Papale's words, the games were much more "rough" than "touch" (Herald News Online). In an interview, Papale said that an ambulance was always present at the bar league games, a detail that was left out of the movie. In real life, when did Papale really meet his wife Janet? The movie Invincible portrays Papale meeting his wife Janet during open tryouts for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976. In reality, Vince Papale didn't meet his wife Janet until years later, after his playing days. The real Janet and Vince were married in 1993. -premierespeakers.com I heard that Vince Papale's wife is an athlete too, is this true? Yes. Vince Papale is married to the former Janet Cantwell, who was a member of the USA Word Gymnastics team. Janet has coached and taught gymnastics all over the world. Vince and Janet are the only married couple to have been both individually inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. They live in Cherry Hill, NJ with their two children Gabriella and Vincent Jr. -premierespeakers.com What made Dick Vermeil decide to give Vince a spot on the team?

"When it came down even between him and another receiver/special-teams player (at the final cut) we kept him because of his charisma, and his appeal to the South Philly fans where the stadium is, and then to his talent as well," says Dick Vermeil, who would a few years later win a Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams. -Tribune Review Did coach Dick Vermeil really find Vince out in the parking lot fixing his broken down car? No. When Dick Vermeil told Vince that he had made the squad, it didn't take place in a parking lot. Instead, it happened in the locker room. Vince referred to such adjustments of the facts as "entertainment liberties." -boston.com What was Papale's NFL salary? Vince Papale's first year salary as a Philadelphia Eagle was $21,000, which was almost double what his last teaching job had paid. In his final year with the Eagles, he made $45,000. -Tribune Review What were Vince's NFL stats?

+----------------------+----------------------+ | Rushing | Receiving | +----------+----+----------------------+----------------------+ | Year TM | G | Att Yards Y/A TD | Rec Yards Y/R TD | +----------+----+----------------------+----------------------+ | 1976 phi | 14 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 0 0 0.0 0 | | 1977 phi | 14 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 1 15 15.0 0 | | 1978 phi | 13 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 0 0 0.0 0 | +----------+----+----------------------+----------------------+ | TOTAL | 41 | 0 0 0.0 0 | 1 15 15.0 0 | +----------+----+----------------------+----------------------+ -pro-football-reference.com What was Papale's greatest memory of playing on the coverage team unit for the Philadelphia Eagles?

"Against the Giants (my rookie season) I was coming down the field so hard that I made two Giant players collide with the punt returner and he ended up fumbling the ball and I recovered it. Our offense would score a touchdown on the ensuing series and we defeated them, 20-7, giving Dick Vermeil his first win as an NFL coach," Papale recalls. -PhiladelphiaEagles.com The movie Invincible shows Vince scoring a touchdown, but his stats displayed above seem to contradict this? The filmmakers added Vince's touchdown for dramatic effect. In real life, he never scored a TD. -Post-Gazette.com Why did Vince Papale leave the Philadelphia Eagles and the NFL in 1979 after only four seasons? Papale stopped playing professional football due to a shoulder injury in the 1979 preseason, which permanently ended his NFL career. -premierespeakers.com What has Vince Papale done since he left the NFL? After spending three years playing professional football with the Philadelphia Eagles, Papale moved on from the NFL to become a TV and radio broadcaster, a job which he held for eight years.

He then went into commercial mortgage banking, which led to his position as a Marketing Executive and Special Projects Director for Sallie Mae, the student financial aid company. Currently, he mainly works as a motivational speaker for education and the Sallie Mae Program. Watch Vince Papale as a Motivational Speaker In addition to his various occupations, he has battled and beat colorectal cancer, a topic on which he also speaks and for which he holds the title of national spokesperson (premierespeakers.com). Papale has served as chairman or co-chairman for numerous associations, including the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans, Spina Bifida Association, Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the American Heart Association. As a cancer survivor, he and his family also donate a lot of their time to the Eagle's Fly for Leukemia charity. -RothTalent.com How does Vince Papale think his life would have turned out if he hadn't made the Philadelphia Eagles team? "It would have turned out OK," says Papale. "I would have gone back to get my master's degree and gone onto high school counseling, and I would have been retiring right now." -NBC10.com How did the idea for the movie Invincible come into existence?

In November of 2002, NFL Films showed Vince's story on ESPN during Monday Night Football ( Watch the ESPN segment ). It was part of a special to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the boxing movie Rocky. The four minute piece about Vince captured the attention of Hollywood, and soon a film was in the works. Is Papale upset that it took so long to bring his story to the big screen? No. "I'm glad it took 30 years because I can share it with a lot more people (including) my children and my beautiful wife. It couldn't be a better time," Papale said (NBC10.com). The picture at left shows Vince and his family with Mark Wahlberg, the actor who portrayed Vince on the big screen (click to enlarge). What is the real Vince Papale's favorite scene from the movie Invincible? Papale says his favorite scene from the movie is the one where he and his friends play rough-touch football in the mud. "It just showed the pure innocence and joy of playing," says Papale.

"And to me, it was a bunch of guys who are over the hill, but they became kids again, and it just transcended time." -Tribune Review Are there any major cameos in the movie? No. "They (the filmmakers) didn't want anything to detract from the story or what was being told," says Papale. All the guys who are football players in the movie are arena league football players in real life. Vince Papale's children did have small cameos in the film. His 9-year-old son Vince Jr. is the boy who wears the number 83 jersey and runs in front of the car to retrieve a football as Mark Wahlberg drives by. His 12-year-old daughter can be seen in the film throwing a football in a city street. Coach Dick Vermeil's son was in the locker room scenes a few times as an extra. -NFL.com Where any other movies ever made about Vince Papale? Vince Papale's story was also the inspiration for the 1998 TV movie The Garbage Picking Field Goal Kicking Philadelphia Phenomenon starring Tony Danza.

It's about a Philadelphia garbage man named Barney Gorman, who develops his leg muscles from kicking the hydraulic lever on his truck. Barney is then discovered by the Philadelphia Eagles and signed by them to become a kicker. Vince Papale Interviews and Related Video: Former Eagles wide receiver Vince Papale, inspiration for the new Disney movie "Invincible," interviews actor Mark Wahlberg. Also watch the 2002 NFL Films feature on his life that caught Hollywood's attention and inspired the making of the movie. 2002 ESPN Vince Papale Segment Originally airing during Monday Night Football in November of 2002, this ESPN segment on Vince Papale is what inspired the filmmakers to make the movie starring Mark Wahlberg. The segment aired as part of a tribute to the 25th anniversary of the movie Rocky, which told a similar inspirational sports story.

'Invincible' Tells Real Life Story of Sports Hero Vince Papale 'Invincible' Tells Real Life Story of Sports Hero Vince Papale Last Updated: October 31, 2009 10:37 PM Share Email to a Friend Print A dream comes true on the sports field in an inspirational drama inspired by the true story of Vince Papale, a bartender and part-time teacher who became a star in the National Football League. Alan Silverman spoke with star Mark Wahlberg and the real Vince Papale for this look at Invincible. It is the early 1970's and life hands one setback after another to Vince Papale. The South Philadelphia native loses his teaching job. His wife leaves him. It seems he is only happy when he and his friends since childhood are playing their rough-and-tumble version of American football on an improvised field in their blue-collar neighborhood. Like so many, Vince dreamed of playing professional ball; but he never had the chance to play at college and as he got older, that dream faded.

Then, in 1976, his beloved (but bedraggled) hometown team, the Philadelphia Eagles, brought in a new coach - Dick Vermeil - who announced what was supposed to be a publicity stunt. Egged on by his friends, Vince does try out and his raw talent, energy and determination so impress the coach, he actually makes it to training camp and then onto the team at age 30, the oldest rookie in NFL history. Now, three decades later, Vince Papale says he remembers those events "like they were yesterday." He acknowledges the film takes some liberties with the story, but believes it captures the essence of his achievement: "Everybody has been told they were a loser. Everybody has been told they were an underdog," he says. "Everybody has been told they can't do something. Yet everybody has achieved something great in their life (and) they have the potential to get to that next level.

Hopefully through "Invincible" they will see a guy that had the potential, is given that opportunity, makes the best of it, works hard, stays straight ...and you can get there." Mark Wahlberg plays Vince at 30 and the real Papale says he 'got it:" "When I saw Mark on the practice field the first time I was totally amazed," Papale says. "I knew he was athletic from watching him perform in some of his movies, especially "The Italian Job;" but I didn't realize he had the grace and athleticism needed to pull off being a wide receiver: his footwork, his hands and, aside from that, his intensity and attitude on the field.

Wahlberg, who has gone from a working-class Boston neighborhood to 1980's pop music glory as 'Marky Mark' to become a leading actor and Hollywood star, says he identified with a lot of the Vince Papale story: "There weren't too many people around me telling me I could become the next President or anything - you know, 'be all you can be' - especially when I started acting; but it was one of those things where you had to put your blinders on and not listen to all the negativity and try to make it happen," he says. " If I gave it my full effort and I didn't succeed, well at least I'd be happy with that, because I know that I gave it my all. It's part of life, part of what makes you a man; so I could certainly relate to that. I didn't use it as fuel when people told me I couldn't do it. I just knew that, okay, if I wanted something I had to go out and make it for myself ... and the only way I could succeed was through hard work.

But I don't think I could have accomplished what Vince did." Wahlberg says Papale also inspired his teammates to try as hard as he did. "He went out there for the Eagles. He didn't go out there for himself. He went out there to get on the field and said 'I'll give it my all' and he didn't expect to be invited to (training) camp, never mind make the team; but every time he was out there, he fought as hard as he wanted the regular Eagles to fight when he was (a fan) in the stands. That started to rub off on the other players. Today Vince Papale travels the country as an inspirational speaker, telling audiences of his football achievements and also his victory over colon cancer. He says the film is about sports, but the message is 'go for your dreams.' "There are a lot of Vince Papales out there ... not just in football, but in life," he notes. " All they are looking for is an opportunity ... a chance to prove themselves ... that chance to show what their potential is. The thing is, are they going to get the shot?

I was the luckiest guy in the world in 1976 because, thanks to Dick Vermeil, I got the shot." Greg Kinnear plays coach Dick Vermeil. Elizabeth Banks co-stars as a co-worker who encourages Vince to keep trying. She is a composite character, but inspired by Janet Papale, wife of the former football great. "Invincible" was filmed on location in the South Philadelphia neighborhood where the true story took place 30 years ago. 30 Greatest Football Movies Ever Made | Fandango Videos 30 Greatest Football Movies Ever Made Football movies are great to watch any time of the year, but they’re especially fun around Super Bowl season. We’re counting down our favorite pigskin pictures, from the perfectly watchable #30 to a true modern classic at #1. Hut, hut, hike! 30. Radio (2003) Critics rolled their eyes at Cuba Gooding Jr.’s portrayal of mentally challenged football fan James Robert “Radio” Kennedy, but those who don’t mind a little sentimentality may find ‘Radio’ to be a touching story about acceptance. 29.

Gridiron Gang (2006) This standard-issue sports flick dramatizes the eventful first season of the Kilpatrick Mustangs – a team based out of a juvenile detention camp. Whipping 'em into shape is Dwayne Johnson, himself a former University of Miami linebacker. 28. Little Giants (1994) In one of his last roles before settling into semiretirement, Rick Moranis plays a pee-wee football team coach who goes up against his arrogant brother (Ed O’Neill). It's a family comedy with a nice twist: This team’s star player is a girl. 27. Leatherheads (2008) Director-star George Clooney’s snappy paean to 1920s football fizzled at the box office, but its screwball banter and rich period detail – reminiscent of the Coen brothers, with whom Clooney has worked several times – are charming. 26. The Waterboy (1998) We have a soft spot for this silly Adam Sandler vehicle, about a mama’s boy who becomes a juggernaut on the field when he gets mad.

Highlights include Sandler’s irresistibly weird Cajun accent and a hilarious turn from Kathy Bates as Mama. 25. Semi-Tough (1977) Burt Reynolds, who played football in college, costars with Kris Kristofferson as a pair of teammates who live with the same woman (Jill Clayburgh). ‘Semi-Tough’ endures as a raunchy spoof of 1970s self-help schemes. 24. We Are Marshall (2006) The film is clichéd, but its story – about Marshall University’s quest to rebuild its football program after a 1970 plane crash killed the entire team – is worth telling, and everyone involved, especially Matthew McConaughey, gives it their best shot. 23. Draft Day (2014) This drama focuses on the strategies behind NFL draft picks, much like the admittedly superior ‘Moneyball’ did with Major League Baseball in 2011. Kevin Costner does solid work as the (fictional) GM of the Cleveland Browns. 22.

The Replacements (2000) In this predictable but charming comedy set during a fictional NFL players strike, Gene Hackman is tasked with coaching a bunch of has-beens and wannabes, led by none other than Keanu Reeves. Can you say “ragtag team of underdogs”? 21. The Program (1993) James Caan nails it as a coach dealing with his players’ personal issues (including drug abuse) in this underrated college drama. A scene in which several players lie down in the middle of a highway was later cut due to fatal copycat attempts. 20. Varsity Blues (1999) James Van Der Beek was at the peak of his ‘Dawson’s Creek’ fame when he was cast as a sensitive Texas high school quarterback squaring off against one of the meanest football coaches in movie history (Jon Voight). 19. Heaven Can Wait (1978) Director Warren Beatty’s romantic comedy-fantasy, a remake of 1941’s ‘Here Comes Mr. Jordan,’ stars Beatty as an L.A. Rams (remember them? They're comin' back!) quarterback who gets reincarnated – twice.

The rare football flick that’s also a decent date movie. 18. Any Given Sunday (1999) Oliver Stone’s ambitious examination of the NFL is typical for the director: It’s fascinating, frustrating and a half hour too long. Note: Costar Jamie Foxx’s moves are real. As a high school player, he passed over 1,000 yards in a single season. 17. All the Right Moves (1983) Tom Cruise broke through in 1983 thanks to ‘The Outsiders,’ ‘Risky Business’ and this drama about a cocky high school defensive back who yearns to escape his Pennsylvania coal-mining town. The film's dated production values aside, 'Moves' boasts solid performances from its young cast. 16. The Express (2008) This little-seen biopic of Ernie Davis (Rob Brown), the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy (in 1961), hits all the usual sports movie tropes, but it does so expertly. It fumbled at theaters, but don’t let that keep you away. It’s a winner. 15.

Invincible (2006) You’re a 30-year-old bartender who dreams of playing in the NFL. It could happen, and it did to Vince Papale, who made it onto the Philadelphia Eagles roster from 1976 to 1978. Mark Wahlberg is in fine form as Papale in this crowd-pleaser. 14. Everybody's All-American (1988) What happens after the winning touchdown? Dennis Quaid finds out in this brutally honest portrait of a football hero’s long, slow decline. Jessica Lange shines as Quaid’s unhappy wife, as do Timothy Hutton and John Goodman in supporting roles. 13. Horse Feathers (1932) The perfect pick-me-up after a downer like ‘Everybody’s All-American’ is the Marx brothers’ famous college-football farce. Groucho, Chico, Harpo and even Zeppo bring their special brand of lunacy to the gridiron. 12. The Freshman (1925) One of Harold Lloyd's funniest comedies has the silent star playing a wimpy college freshman who joins the school's football team in order to impress a girl.

Ninety years on, the laughs – and thrills – still hold up. 11. Paper Lion (1968) How would an average Joe fare on the professional circuit? Alan Alda, in his breakout role, plays real-life sports journalist George Plimpton, who briefly joined the Detroit Lions. Suffice to say, Plimpton didn’t take the team to the Super Bowl. 10. Friday Night Lights (2004) Before it was a critically acclaimed TV series, 'Friday Night Lights' started out on the big screen, with Billy Bob Thornton playing a coach trying to help a team of Texas teens struggling with life on and off the field. Director Peter Berg would lend his gritty, "you are there" aesthetic to the series as well, as executive producer and director of the pilot. 9. The Longest Yard (1974) The 2005 Adam Sandler remake has its moments, but the original is a down-and-dirty classic. Burt Reynolds leads a group of prison inmates who take on their guards in one of the greatest movie football matches of all time. 8.

North Dallas Forty (1979) Football in the '70s in all its debauchery is on full display here, and Nick Nolte – no stranger to wild times himself – is front and center. A sharp mix of comedy, drama and satire, 'Forty' takes a warts-and-all approach to the sport that largely still holds up today. 7. The Blind Side (2009) It was the sleeper hit of 2009, and Sandra Bullock won an Oscar playing real-life Leigh Anne Tuohy, who adopted a runaway named Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) and helped him become a gridiron superstar. (Oher has played for the Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans and most recently the Carolina Panthers.) 6. Remember the Titans (2000) In this first-class drama, Denzel Washington plays Coach Herman Boone, presiding over a Virginia high school’s newly integrated football program in 1971. Racial prejudice runs high, but Boone’s leadership in the face of adversity is truly inspiring -- as is Washington's performance. 5.

Knute Rockne, All American (1940) "Win just one for the Gipper!" Ronald Reagan, in arguably his greatest role, plays George "The Gipper" Gipp, whose parting words inspire Notre Dame’s legendary coach Rockne (Pat O’Brien) to motivate his team to victory time and again. 4. Undefeated (2011) This thrilling, often heartbreaking documentary about a Memphis high school team won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, proving that while scripted football dramas can be great, sometimes you just can’t beat the real thing. 3. Jerry Maguire (1996) One of Cameron Crowe's best films, 'Maguire' is arguably the funniest and most quotable movie about the business of professional sports. Tom Cruise stars as an agent tired of playing the game, but Cuba Gooding Jr. -- in an Oscar-winning turn -- steals the show as his demanding client, a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. 2. Brian's Song (1971) This fact-based weepie – a TV movie – still wrings tears out of even the toughest football fans.

James Caan is terminally ill Chicago Bear Brian Piccolo, whose friendship with teammate Gale Sayers (Billy Dee Williams) sustains him in his final days. 1. Rudy (1993) Our top pick is the ultimate underdog film; the movie you can't help but watch whenever you catch it on cable. Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger (Sean Astin) dreams of playing for Notre Dame, and valiantly overcomes each and every obstacle that stands in his way. You just can’t get more feel-good than ‘Rudy.’ Check out these popular galleries: 8 Top Grossing Football Movies of All Time 8 Top Grossing Football Movies of All Time Reddit Football season is more than half over, so it’s almost time to start thinking about the playoffs. Or the draft, if you’re a fan of a team who hasn’t had a spectacular season so far.That sounds depressing, so why not pass the time by watching all of these films? Once you’re done, it’ll be about time to prepare yourself for the postseason. Take a look at the eight top grossing football films of all time, unadjusted for inflation: 8.

Varsity Blues – Paramount Pictures ($52.9 Million) Handout/Getty Images Paramount Pictures’ football drama Varsity Blues came out in 1999 and stars James Van Der Beek, Amy Smart, Paul Walker, and Jon Voight. The film tells the story of a small-town high school football team and the pressures of performing in a football-obsessed community. Budgeted at an estimated $16 million, the film performed better than expected making $52 million at the domestic box office despite mixed reviews from critics. And if you’re like me, you probably remember the film best for slow motion shots set to “My Hero” by the Foo Fighters. But all jokes aside, something about the film ultimately connected with audiences and many aspects of the film went on to become a part of the pop culture lexicon. 7. Invincible – Walt Disney Co. ($57.8 Million) Brian Bedder/Getty Images One of the more recent films on this list, Walt Disney Co.’s Invincible came out in 2006 and stars Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear, and Elizabeth Banks.

The film is based on the true story of Vince Papale who played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1976 to 1978 after catching the attention of coach Dick Vermeil at an open tryout. With a budget of $40 million, the film’s box office take of almost $58 million didn’t make the film a big winner financially, but movie-goers and critics generally enjoyed the film. Robert Wilonsky of Village Voice wrote , “One of the few satisfying sports movies in which the foundation built upon a heap of clichés holds strong,” and Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune said that, “There’s a sugar coating to the way Papale’s story unfolds, but not so much that you’ll spoil your dinner.” 6. Friday Night Lights – Universal Pictures ($61.2 Million) Source: Universal Universal Pictures’ football drama Friday Night Lights arrived in theaters in 2004, starring Billy Bob Thornton, Derek Luke, and Jay Hernandez. The film was based on Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream written by H. G.

Bissinger and tells the story of the 1988 Permian High School Panthers football team and their run towards the state championship. The film later spawned a television series of the same name that ended in 2010 and there are now talks of a movie based on the TV show . As many onlookers have humorously pointed out, that will mean that the new film will be based on a TV show, that was based on a film, that was based on a book. It almost sounds like the plot to Inception. But as far as the raw numbers go, Friday Night Lights made $61 million at the box office on a budget of $30 million. The film is also one of the most critically acclaimed films on this list with many critics commending the film on not only its portrayal of football, but the overall dissection of small-town America. The late Roger Ebert wrote at the time that, “The movie demonstrates the power of sports to involve us; we don’t live in Odessa and are watching a game played 16 years ago, and we get all wound up,” giving the film 3.5 out of 4 stars. 5. Any Given Sunday – Warner Bros.

($75.5 Million) Source: Warner Bros. Released on December 22, 1999, the Warner Bros. football drama Any Given Sunday is probably the most serious film on this list. Directed by Oliver Stone with an ensemble cast including Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid, and Jamie Foxx, the film depicts a fictional professional American football team, the Miami Sharks, and the turmoil surrounding the team both on the field and behind the scenes in ownership. With a production budget of $55 million, Any Given Sunday went on to make $75 million domestically and $24 million in foreign markets — an impressive number given that football films generally garner under 5 percent of their total gross outside the United States. Any Given Sunday got a mixed reception when it was released in 1999, with some critics saying that while it had great moments, it wasn’t up to the standard of Stone’s previous efforts. J. Hoberman of Village Voice, for example, wrote that the film felt like “A Visual Concussion.” And while he meant that negatively, other critics seem to indicate that the experience that Hoberman is keying in on is a positive.

“One of the few football movies that really puts you in the action, conveying the ferocity and trauma of the game,” Michael Wilmington of the Chicago Tribune wrote. While the reviews at the time show a huge discrepancy between critics, the film has garnered somewhat of a cult following in more recent years, with many calling it one of, if not the greatest football movie ever made. 4. Remember the Titans – Walt Disney Co. ($115.6 Million) Source: Disney Arguably the feel-good movie of this list, Disney’s Remember the Titans came out in 2000 and stars Denzel Washington. Along with the backing of Disney and the box office draw of Washington, the film was also produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. Remember the Titans tells the true story of an African-American coach who who tries to introduce a racially divided team at the T. C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia during the early 1970′s. Remember the Titans ended up making $115 million domestically, along with a foreign total of $21 million. The film ended up being a huge financial success for Disney as the film’s budget was estimated to be about $30 million.

While some critics felt that the film was too sentimental, the greater majority felt that the film ultimately didn’t fall victim to over-sentimentality. Andrew O’Hehir of Salon wrote, “Taken on its own terms, it’s an agreeable entertainment, solidly crafted, wonderfully acted and often genuinely moving,” while A. O. Scott of the NY Times wrote, “Remember the Titans is similarly solid; its satisfactions are time-tested, a little worn but nonetheless durable.” The general consensus among viewers seems to be that, while the film is sentimental, who cares? 3. The Longest Yard – Paramount Pictures ($158.1 Million) source: Paramount The Longest Yard is a remake of the 1974 film of the same and stars Adan Sandler, Chris Rock, and James Cromwell. The film is the story of a disgraced former professional quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in prison who is forced to form a team of prison inmates to play football against the prison guards. The Paramount-backed football film ended up making $158 million domestically and $32 million at the foreign box office — good thing too, because the film had a budget of $82 million.

Among other top rankings aside from football films, The Longest Yard also ranks number one on the list of remakes and number two in sports comedy. The critics had a mostly negative reception of the film, with most writing that the film was not as good as the original. “If you’re thinking of seeing it, and you’re old enough to drive (or even read this), do yourself a favor and rent the original instead,” Carina Chocano of the Los Angeles Times wrote. However, Roger Ebert explained that, “The Longest Yard more or less achieves what most of the people attending it will expect.” The film’s box office gross also might have benefited from some fans of the next film on this list. 2. The Waterboy – Walt Disney Co. ($161.4 Million) source: Disney Released in 1998, The Waterboy was a hugely lucrative hit for the studio and is one of Adam Sandler’s top-grossing films. The film tells the story of Bobby Boucher, a socially inept waterboy, who single handedly takes the South Central Louisiana State University Mud Dogs to the Bourbon Bowl with the help of some pent up rage.

The Waterboy made $161 million domestically and $24 million on the foreign market for a total of $185 million. The film’s budget? Only $23 million. The film is also number one sports comedy of all time and had the following rankings for the year in 1998 — number five at the box office overall, third highest opening weekend, and second-highest grossing PG-13 film. While The Waterboy had a pretty terrible reception with critics, it didn’t matter at a time when Sandler had considerable box office pull. Who doesn’t have at least five quotes from this movie always stocked up in the back of their head? Is the movie vapid? Yeah. But you can’t tell me you don’t leave it on when it comes on the television. 1. The Blind Side – Warner Bros. ($255.9 Million) Source: Warner Bros. The most recent film on this list is also the most lucrative — something which also brings up a discussion on inflation, but that’s another story.

Released in 2009, The Blind Side stars Sandra Bullock, who later won Best Actress at the Oscars, and tells the true story of Michael Oher and his journey from an impoverished upbringing to his adoption by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, and finally his journey towards the NFL. With a domestic gross of $255 million, The Blind Side obliterates the competition — the film even managed to make $53 on the foreign market where most viewers probably don’t understand what football is. The kicker, though, is the budget for the film — $29 million. That means that the film made over ten times its budget. That there is a winner. Reviews for the film are generally positive, although some critics take issue with the film being overly sentimental. David Fear of Time Out New York also touches upon the bigger issue that many had with the film, writing , “It’s just blinkered middle-class pandering at its most shameless.” But the overall views of the film are mostly positive. “Another uplifting and entertaining feel-good, fact-based sports drama,” Joe Leydon of Variety writes .

And Lou Lemenick of the New York Post writes , “What makes The Blind Side a Thanksgiving treat is director Hancock’s subtle touch and admirable refusal to yield to sports movie clichés, something he did previously with The Rookie and Remember the Titans.”

Question: In which 2006 film does Mark Wahlberg try out for a University American Football team?
Answer: Invincible